MP saddened by UNICEF, UNHCR's silence on Children's killing

[TamilNet, Monday, 15 May 2006, 02:35 GMT]
"I am deeply concerned and saddened by the silence of the premier world organizations that advocate rights of children, the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) and the UNHCR, on the escalating number of children being killed in the NorthEast in Sri Lanka by the State's security forces," said Pathmini Sithamparanathan, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian for Jaffna, speaking to the press Monday.

Ms Sithamaparanathan said: "Thirty seven civilians have been killed in the NorthEast during the last three days. After Geneva-I more than 180 civilians have been killed by the Sri Lanka Government security forces and the collaborating paramilitaries.

"Last Friday a four-month old child and a four year old boy was murdered by the Sri Lanka Navy soldiers and paramilitary cadres in Jaffna Islets. In the aerial bombardment by the Sri Lanka AirForce in Sampoor, Muttur East on the 25-26th April eight children under 16 years were killed. Two similar aged children were killed in Batticaloa and in Jaffna recently.

"Hardly a word condemning the killing of children has come out of UNICEF's, UNHCR's offices in the last several weeks.

"On the issue of child recruitment, however, UNICEF, UNHCR and other rights organizations worldwide, have shown unusual vigor and assertiveness, in demonizing the Liberation Tigers.

"Vulnerable groups that depend on the support and voice of such world organizations, are left helpless, when these organizations remain silent when States perpetrate dastardly crimes," Mrs Sithamparanathan said.

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